Explained: The row over two Ganesha idols inside the Qutub Minar complex

The National Museums Authority had demanded that the ‘Ulta Ganesh’ and ‘Ganesha in cage’ statues be relocated, as their place at the Qutub Minar premises was ‘disrespectful’. A row has broken out over the removal of two Ganesha idols from the 12th century Qutub Minar complex, a World Heritage site and moving them to a more “respectable” place at the National Museum. Ganesh idols at Qutub Minar There are two Ganesha idols called “Ulta Ganesh” and “Ganesha in cage”, which are located in the compound of Qutub Minar, considered to be one of India’s finest monuments. We should appeal to @narendramodi govt to liberate our Gods from cages and allow Hindus to worship at these ancient temple sites.#ReclaimTemples https://t.co/cxWaQKyx1X — Reclaim Temples September 3, 2019 The controversy over the idols On 7 April, the Indian Express reported that the National Museums Authority had asked the Archaeological Survey of India to remove the two Ganesh idols and find a suitable place for them at the National Museum.